As phones pinged, old photos were found and stories told, the WhatsApp group of former players agreed they had to get their hands on tickets.
Kidderminster Harriers, of the National League North, had been drawn against West Ham in the FA Cup, as they were 28 years ago, and the prospect of Saturday’s rematch has propelled this Worcestershire town, built upon its carpet industry, back in time.
‘The coincidences are amazing when you stop and think,’ says Graham Allner, former Harriers boss, as he took a framed picture montage from his wall and scanned the images.
Former Kidderminster Harriers boss Graham Allner reflects on FA Cup tie with West Ham 28 years ago
Kidderminster will now come up against Premier League side West Ham United on Saturday
‘Birmingham in the third round, with Sullivan, Gold and Brady. Preston in the fourth round, with David Moyes. West Ham in the fifth round.
‘I still remember gathering for the draw in the vice-president’s lounge. Television and radio were there to see who we’d get and out came West Ham or Notts County.
‘Before I knew what was happening our chairman, David Reynolds, who was a bit of a jack-in-the-box, full of energy, was telling somebody we’d switch the game to West Ham if they won the replay, which they did.
‘I had to grab him and tell him that, one, we had a better chance of winning at home and, two, we had to show the Football League we could handle this.’
Former boss Allner holds a place in the corner of the competition's history for having played every minute of its longest-ever tie
Kidderminster were ambitious. Top of the old Conference, they had eyes on the Football League but had been told their Aggborough stadium did not meet the required standard and that promotion was impossible.
It rankled, but the FA Cup offered the chance to show off a club founded in 1886.
‘When you get a draw like this, it goes crazy,’ says Allner, who holds a place in a curious corner of the competition’s history for having played every minute of its longest ever tie.
Jarrod Bowen (pictured) and his West Ham team-mates will be heading to Aggborough
He was up front for Alvechurch against Oxford City, in November 1971, a fourth qualifying round tie finally decided by a fifth replay.
‘We were all on first name terms by the end,’ says Allner. ‘Our manager had run out of things to say. He just said, “Go out and give them some tonk and bottle”. It was reduced to that.’
Alvechurch finally won 1-0 at Villa Park and Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis appeared in the dressing room with champagne.
‘I love the FA Cup and what it can do for small clubs,’ says Allner. ‘Just look at Marine and Tottenham last year to see what it can spark. It introduces a new generation of fans to the club.
‘Maybe this tie for Kidderminster will remind the new generation what our team achieved.’
Back in 1993-94, Kidderminster beat Chesham, Kettering and Woking to set up a third round trip to neighbours
